Turn signals don't work, make gauges go crazy when activated

[Jumpstart]

So the turn signals do the above mentioned. When activated they send the dash gauges all the way to the right until they bounce on the post on the gauge face, then they bounce around or stay all the way right until signal is turned off. Then all gauge needles go back to normal with the turn signal still not functioning. I pulled the fuse box, but none are labeled for the turn signal relay so I do not know which turn signal relay box to break open and clean the contacts or to buy if needed. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

[ray1970]

I have a suggestion. How about you mention a year, make, and model?

Might help someone give you a better diagnosis.

[68Charger]

Sounds like a bad ground somewhere...
Or possibly 2 wires in the harness that have rubbed insulation off and are shorted.

[ray1970]

Sounds like a bad ground somewhere..
That was going to be my guess. But could be something in the BCM or possibly the IPC. Hard to say without more information from the OP.

[Jumpstart]

I have a suggestion. How about you mention a year, make, and model?

Might help someone give you a better diagnosis.

I was afraid someone was going to ask- 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan, and I'll admit it, I like it.

[Dave_L]

Who cares what car you drive? no need to worry about being embarrassed. Electrical bugs are annoying. I'm assuming you searched the web to see if other owners have run into the same problem?

[Jumpstart]

Who cares what car you drive? no need to worry about being embarrassed. Electrical bugs are annoying. I'm assuming you searched the web to see if other owners have run into the same problem?

Indeed and no worries. I did spend about 2 hours looking on the internet, tried a few minor things and then threw it up on the post for some more insight from the good fellows here.

[Dave_L]

Dang, some of the car forums can help out big time. I'd agree that it sounds like a short but I don't know the fastest way to track it down. Test light, voltmeter and time testing wires, I believe. You could try a new turn signal switch first. They look to be about $35. Some say it could be a BCM issue when they had issues with the turn signal shutting down their cluster.

[UncleDave]

Sounds like the circuit board in the cluster may have a burn in it. Definitely a short to ground through the ground circuit of the instrument cluster. Before you replace anything pull the IC and visually inspect for damage, it is usually very easy to see.

[Irving]

Does the turn signal switch control anything else like head lights? If so, does using those functions also cause issues?

[DenverGP]

I repaired a friends Dodge neon that had similar sounding electrical issues. The turn signal assembly (they call it the "multifunction switch") in the steering column has a lot of different circuits running thru it including headlights and hi-beams, and the wiring/connectors can't handle the amount of current. The electrical connector was melted pretty bad, causing a short circuit. When I went to a junk yard to try to get a replacement, out of 4 cars in the junkyard with the matching part, all of them had melted connectors (but apparently not bad enough to cause the short yet).

I've seen reports that other dodge models besides the neon had the same issue, so the multifunction switch assembly would be my first bet.

In my friends case, it got even worse because it blew a fuse, so they replaced the 5 amp fuse with a 25 amp. That caused the main wiring harness in the steering colum to melt, shorting out all sorts of fun stuff.

[OtterbatHellcat]

I repaired a friends Dodge neon that had similar sounding electrical issues. The turn signal assembly (they call it the "multifunction switch") in the steering column has a lot of different circuits running thru it including headlights and hi-beams, and the wiring/connectors can't handle the amount of current. The electrical connector was melted pretty bad, causing a short circuit. When I went to a junk yard to try to get a replacement, out of 4 cars in the junkyard with the matching part, all of them had melted connectors (but apparently not bad enough to cause the short yet).

I've seen reports that other dodge models besides the neon had the same issue, so the multifunction switch assembly would be my first bet.

In my friends case, it got even worse because it blew a fuse, so they replaced the 5 amp fuse with a 25 amp. That caused the main wiring harness in the steering colum to melt, shorting out all sorts of fun stuff.

Wow...newsflash !!

Never "up the amp rating" on a fuse just 'cause. Fuses blow for a reason, get it fixed.


Good info in here for ya, OP. .......... FWIW, Dodge isn't the only O.E.M that had problems with multi-function switches over the years.

[Jumpstart]

I fixed it. It was a small amount of corrosion on the positive post and ground. When I popped the hood I looked right at the posts, dismissed the small amount of corrosion as inconsequential, and went straight to the 1. fuse box, 2. youtube, 3. worldwide web, 4. a mechanic friend in San Antonio who has been a Dodge mechanic for almost 30 years ( I haven't heard back from him yet but I want to see what he says) and 5. the DIYer's here. Then I cleaned the posts. So, I guess there is a lesson to be learned here, and I learned a lot more from the post anyway. Danke.

[sniper7]

And best of all you admitted to owning a minivan!

j/k, no judging, especially since there is a chance I will have one some day

[ray1970]

As long as there are kids involved mini vans are OK. Might be one of the best vehicles for hauling the little rug rats around in.

[Jumpstart]

Yes indeed. Four small ones. Still looking for a newer suburban though, but the mini ain't to shabby as a traveling play pen.

[BushMasterBoy]

Lead is in the IVA group on the periodic chart. Pretty much any metal can become a semiconductor,when corroded or oxidized.

http://sciencenotes.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/PeriodicTableCharge.png

[SideShow Bob]

As long as there are kids involved mini vans are OK. Might be one of the best vehicles for hauling the little rug rats around in.

Whatever happened to the days of just herding the rug rats into the back of the pickup and off you go ?

[Dave_L]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFoN3gAswBI

[Irving]

I was just going to say that I know Chrysler made a turbo 5-speed van, and an AWD van, and I bet they'd be sweet together.

[DenverGP]

Glad the op found a simple solution....

Here's pics of the multi-function switch connector from my friends Neon:
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h408/DenverGt/Cars/Repairs/2012-09-17%2014.46.57_zpsr5bbcwug.jpg

And it's hard to see in the pic, but the middle 4-5 wires in this pic are all melted together in one big bunch.
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h408/DenverGt/Cars/Repairs/2012-09-22%2016.47.55_zps5zfzcv85.jpg

And apparently the multi-function switch connector is commonly melted like that, even without the idiot friends swapping in the wrong fuse. Out of several similar models I found at the junk yard, all had partially melted / discolored connectors. I ended up ordering a new one and doing lots of fun soldering inside the steering column to replace the connector and to repair the melted together bunch of wires.

When I started the job, I figured it would be a simple short, wrap up a wire, all is good. Ended up about 2-3 day job.

[Graves]

I'd only be judgemental about the minivan if you DIDN'T have kids. lol

[Circuits]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivRj0wa_opc

[Great-Kazoo]

I'd only be judgemental about the minivan if you DIDN'T have kids. lol

OT the spouse really liked the fully loaded mini-van we rented for 3 weeks

[Erni]

Respect the van. Respect it!

[ChunkyMonkey]

I'd only be judgemental about the minivan if you DIDN'T have kids. lol

Best inter State transport ever! Never got pulled over! So HA!

[Graves]

OT the spouse really liked the fully loaded mini-van we rented for 3 weeks

Good for the spouse.
Why don't you speak on your own behalf for a change, Jim? [Coffee]